Cash for Christmas winner Don Schoen, left, stands with 1050 CJNB morning show host Grant Shute, who served as the MC for the Dec. 18 finale at Blend Kitchen + Bar in North Battleford. (photo/battlefordsNOW)

By battlefordsNOW staff

2025 CASH FOR CHRISTMAS

Long-time listener wins $2,000 in CJNB/CJNS’s Cash for Christmas draw

Dec 19, 2025 | 9:03 AM

Christmas came a little early for a guy who never really expected to end up on Santa’s nice list, at least not the one worth $2,000.

Don Schoen was crowned this year’s Cash for Christmas grand-prize winner Thursday night, an event organized by 1050 CJNB / 102.3 CJNS, after making the trip from Morin Creek, between Meadow Lake and Makwa, to take part in the holiday draw in North Battleford.

For Schoen, it turned out to be more than just a festive outing — it was payoff for years of quiet loyalty to the station. Long before his name was ever written on a contest ballot, CJNB/CJNS was simply part of daily life.

“I moved back to Saskatchewan in 2009, so ever since then, we got radio playing in the house. We got one playing on the deck. We got one in the garage and one in the shop.”

“There’s four radios playing all at the same time,” he said with a laugh.

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So when it came time to try his luck, even he didn’t quite know what to expect.

“I didn’t really have any expectations because, really, this is the first time I’ve ever been in anything like this and I really enjoyed it.”

This year’s Cash for Christmas contest invited listeners to enter through participating sponsors or the station’s VIP system, with 26 finalists turning up for the finale at Blend Kitchen + Bar in North Battleford.

From there, the tension built through a reverse elimination draw that steadily whittled down the field until just one name was left and Don Schoen was the last man standing, walking away with $2,000 in Christmas cash.

As for what he’ll do with the money?

“Oh, I have no idea. I’ll probably share with the kids.”

Sponsors who made Cash for Christmas possible

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com